Members’ Professional Code

CIArb maintains the highest standards of professional conduct

At the heart of the concept of professionalism in any discipline, must be the requirement and willingness to practise in an ethical manner. The Institute requires its members to adhere to strict principles and has set out detailed expectations and requirements for its members in the Code of Professional and Ethical Conduct.

The Code of Conduct serves as a guide to practitioners as well as a point of reference for users of these processes. The principles set out in the Code also serve the purpose of promoting public confidence in arbitration and other dispute resolution techniques.

De facto, a significant breach of any part or provision of the Code is misconduct. Inevitably, members who fall significantly below the standards set out in the Code are open to complaint by members of the public or users and thus open to investigation by the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC).

The PCC may investigate all complaints against members, of whatever nature, irrespective of whether or not they might relate to an appointment made by the CIArb, and whether or not it relates to a member’s conduct as a dispute resolver.

Practice guidelines, protocols and rules

The Practice and Standards Committee is responsible for creating a better standard of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practice, on a worldwide basis.

To support this aim, the Committee develops and publishes guidelines of good practice /practice notes and Codes of Ethics, and the Institute’s principal Rules and Procedures for the practice and delivery of private dispute resolution to parties.